There are many good reasons to save water. Of course, there is the environment to consider. Wasting water is an unacceptable practice these days as droughts elsewhere cause monumental problems such as depleting crops. Farmers also need sufficient water supplies to feed and care for their livestock.

Preserving wildlife in lakes, rivers, and wetlands and allowing fish the additional oxygen they need are other benefits of conserving water at home. The more we consume and waste, the less these necessary creatures of nature will have to support our world, as well.

So, just as there are many valid reasons to save and not waste water, there are just as many saving water tips to conserve water.

Of course, filling up a bucket and washing dishes rather than running water is a small start. Installing aerators in faucets and utilizing low flow showerheads and water saving toilets is another way. Utilizing a rain barrel attached to your drain off will save you tons of money on watering your garden. And, you also get to use nature’s own resource, rain.

So, if you are in fact a gardener then saving water while gardening is of concern for you, as well. You are more than likely more knowledgeable of how important it is to your vegetable garden to conserve water.

Conserving water while gardening is not as difficult as it may seem. If you are used to lugging out the hose and watering your garden until it drips or are used to the old way of using sprinkler systems that do nothing but waste water, think again. Drip Irrigation is a great way to save water.

First, let’s start off by saying that there are a few different types of irrigation. There is overhead irrigation where an overhead pump spews water above the plants. There is also field or surface irrigation, but this tends to flood certain areas. Overhead irrigation may promote runoff while surface irrigation may promote overwatering.

Drip irrigation, however, uses a unique system wherein plants are watered at a slow and steady pace. Water is sent deliberately to a specific place such as the roots of the plant over a period of time. Drip emitters that resemble miniature nozzles are laid across the ground close to the plant. Once connected to a primary water source, these miniature nozzles can water plants. There are also hoses that have miniature built in drip emitters and this is known as trickle tape.

The key to drip irrigation is in the control. Controlling the flow of water as well as controlling the amount of time allows for both the healthy watering of plants and the conservation of water. Old-fashioned ways of watering often cause flooding and overhead watering can also cause run off. With drip irrigation, you are giving your plants what they need when they need and how often they need it all at the same time.

This gives the soil an opportunity to drink up the water over an extended period of time rather than sit and accumulate.

Water is absorbed rather than wasted. So, as you can see drip irrigation is an excellent way of saving and conserving water while getting the job done of watering your plants.